German Rieslings under $40

Last night my tasting group met to try some German Rieslings. Of course, this was scheduled when we thought there would be a summer in these parts instead of the early fall we seem to be getting (the leaves have already started to change!). The theme was German Rieslings under $40 and available locally. Mostly that meant the 2011 vintage. There were a couple of ringers thrown in as well. The wines were served blind over a couple of hours. Breads and cheese were served.

• 2011 Gérard Bertrand Crémant de Limoux 91 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Crémant de Limoux

  This is a blend of Chardonnay (70%), Chenin Blanc (20%) and Mauzac (10%). It retails for $19 Ohio. Light golden in color. The nose is nice, with some seltzer, ginger and lots of apples. On the palate this has a pleasant tartness to it. Lots of green apples. Todd said "applevescent". Very persistent. Great QPR here and a nice way to start.

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• 2011 Dr. Loosen St. Johannishof Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese 86 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  This was the most understated wine and for a couple, WOTN. For my tastes it lacked focus and precision, but I can see why others liked it. Light silvery gold in color. The nose has slight apple notes but very slight. The palate is slightly sweet and a bit flabby. Turns sugary at the finish. A nice enough wine, and perhaps some time gives it some focus.

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• 2011 Selbach-Oster Riesling Kabinett 89 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Light gold with some silver in color. The nose has some sulfur notes and there are bubbles in the glass. With air, some wet stones emerge. This improved all night long. Screw capped. On the palate, this is sweet with nice acidity. A long finish that was very good. At under $20, there is value here.

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• 2011 Reichsrat Von Buhl Riesling Kabinett Armand 90 Points

  Germany, Pfalz

  Light gold in color. Also bubbles in the glass on some initial sulfur on the nose. With air, there are minerals and some citrus. Complex on the palate with plenty of green apples and some citrus. Nice texture. Got better thru the evening.

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• 2011 Mönchhof Robert Eymael Riesling Spätlese Mosel Slate 86 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Light gold in color. Some bubbles in the glass, but nothing on the nose. Slightly sweet and flabby on the palate. Cloying on the finish. This was ok, generic tasting Riesling. Others liked it a bit better.

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• 2011 Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese 92 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  The groups and mine's, WOTN. Light silvery gold in color. The nose is nice with slight petrol notes and wet stones and some slight peaches. Complex on the palate. Balanced sweetness and acidity. Long finish. This was $23 which is a great value.

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• 2009 Corvidae Wine Co. Riesling Ravenna 85 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

  The groups last place wine, and I think I liked it better than anyone else although it kept falling apart as the night went on. I put this in as an additional ringer. It was in the Finger Lakes section of the store and in a senior moment/brain fart I thought it was Ravines, a producer I had wanted to try. For $12, I really didn't think much about it and just grabbed it. Only when the bags were removed was it disclosed this was a Washington wine. Probably just too old (it was screw capped though). It was a light golden in color with some seltzer on the nose. On the palate, it has some nice apple flavors but is flabby. It turns quite bitter on the finish.

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• 2009 Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Veldenzer Elisenberg Riesling Kabinett 87 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Golden in color, deeper than most. No nose at all for me. On the palate, a bit better. Sweet. Some minerality. A bit cloying at the finish. A very nice texture though. Seemed to wake up as the evening went on, so perhaps this is in an awkward phase right now.

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• 2005 Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese *** Fass 64 91 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  The groups #2. This was obviously different from the rest, more of a dessert wine. deep golden in color. The nose has a nice caramel and apple pie note but also some minerality. On the palate, this is sweet but not cloying. A McDonalds apple pie quality but in a good way. Thick and viscous. Very tasty. I liked this and was the groups #2 as well.

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In conclusion, there is some value especially at the $18 to $25 range, some of which should age well. Many of these wines are now screw capped as well which is a welcome change.